Hands on ‘Hart’ – a great grain industry career opportunity is on offer
Hart Field-Site Group in the state's mid north is offering the opportunity for post graduates with an interest in a career in applied grains research to apply for its 2024 Regional Internship position.
The role provides job-starters with an opportunity to kick-start their career in hands-on, supported research based in Clare.
The internship is being offered by the Hart Field-Site Group - one of Australia's leading agronomy trial and research organisations supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT), South Australian Drought Hub and SARDI.
Now in its eighth year, the benefits of the internship are flowing on the state's cropping industry. This year's regional intern, Kaidy Morgan, 23, grew up on a cropping and livestock property on the lower Eyre Peninsula before studying agricultural science at the University of Adelaide.
Kaidy has been working in a hands-on role, incorporating all elements of trial work on Hart's 10-hectare cropping trial site, working alongside Hart research and extension manager Rebekah Allen.
Kaidy said the Hart Regional Internship had allowed her to go boots-first into the grains research industry, with many opportunities for hands-on learning as well as networking and industry education events.
I love the diversity of my role and that I get to do different things every day.
It is a good split between being in the office and spending time out in the field which I find really adds to the role.
It's also great to have Bek's support in training me to do different field assessments so that I am a little bit more independent and can feel confident that I know what I am doing.
Hart vice-chair Glen Wilkinson said it was rewarding to see Hart interns continue in the industry, taking on roles with other research organisations after completing the Hart Regional Internship.
And excitingly for the first time, Hart has been able to offer an ongoing position for its current intern, Kaidy.
“I’m really pleased to announce that Kaidy will be staying on with us as a technical officer after her internship finishes in February next year,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“We’ve never been in a position to offer an intern an ongoing role with Hart so we’ve very excited to be able to retain her.”
Mr Wilkinson said ongoing support from SAGIT and the SA Drought Hub was a testament to the value of the Hart Regional Internship program.
SAGIT chairman Max Young said the initiative played a vital role in attracting and retaining people into the grains research field.
“The outcomes that we’ve got from the program over the years have been beneficial to SA because most of the interns are still working hard in the industry,” he said.
“It’s a really important part of what SAGIT does to help these young students progress into a research career.
“It’s absolutely vital to have these researchers for the grains industry.
“If we don’t have researchers delving into the questions, we don’t go forward, we just stay where we are and the technology that we use doesn’t improve and our production and profitability don’t improve.
“There are so many questions that need to be answered and many of them are identified by farmers and agronomists, but they need to be scientifically validated, and to do that we need people in the research area.
“It’s just absolutely important for SA agriculture that we have this kind of opportunity available for those interested in pursuing a career in grains research.”
Kaidy encouraged any post-graduates considering a career in grains research to apply for the Hart Regional Internship program.
“If you’re thinking about it, just go for it,” she said.
“This role is such a perfect way to enter the industry as you get lots of practical on-the-job training and support and also are able to interact with so many different people and build really strong industry connections.
“The diversity of this role is huge and it will allow you to figure out which parts of research you enjoy most and might also spark an interest in something you never thought you would enjoy.
“The Hart team is great, and it is so nice to be working in a small team where you get to build strong connections with those around you, it makes work really enjoyable.”